WINDY HILL (Bay Area)
Not your typical bluegrass band; the boys of Windy Hill did not grow up in the deep rolling hills of Virginia, nor grow up listening to the Bill Monroe or the Stanley Brothers on an old fashioned AM radio. However, you couldn’t tell this from listening to this fabulous band – they show sincere enthusiasm for traditional bluegrass music. The young, fresh players take on a 70+ year old musical genre and pull it off like no other. Whenever they play, they bring it! And look and sound the part – as if they are playing a 1940s dance hall.

EMILY BONN & THE VIVANTS (Bay Area)
Largely inspired by the energy of old-time dance tunes, honky-tonk country, western-swing, bluegrass, and Cajun music, The Vivants play their own brand of American roots music – original foot stompin’ tunes about riots, hollers, and hopping train cars. In former incarnations, Emily honed her songs performing in San Francisco with the Whoreshoes. She is joined by stellar players, Jody Richardson on fiddle and vocal harmonies, James Touzel on upright bass, and Isaac Bonnell on piano accordion.

THE CREAK (SF)
Acoustic music rooted in the bluegrass and folk tradition, with hints of blues and punk elements sneaking in to give them a sound both new and old. The Creak’s energetic performances and visible onstage chemistry inspire dancing, singing, and stomping, leaving audiences feeling elated to have
taken part in such fun.

The Mobil Station is an anomaly. It’s definitely one of the most unique music venues in the country and absolutely one of my favorites. Yes, it’s a gas station in Lee Vining, CA, which is a town of a few hundred people, but it also has an incredible restaurant and music events that bring together the entire far-reaching community. Throughout the past eight years The Trespassers have played at The Mobil Mart at least 20 times, most recently on August 16, 2012. Darin Limvere filmed parts of that evening and produced a film of this track, one of Bronco’s more recent originals. “It’s Snowin’, I’m Cryin” tells a fantastical story of a man losing his love and then losing his life. Thanks, Darin, for sharing your talent with us!

It’s time for the first ever Music Sumo CD giveaway featuring music from The Trespassers! Starting on Friday, June 29th, Music Sumo will be giving fans the opportunity to sign up and win a copy of The Trespassers’, The High Lonesome Rambler. The contest will run for approximately two weeks after which a winner will be announced and recieve the CD along with some other cool gifts from Music Sumo. For more information and to sign up for the giveaway please visit the “Giveaways” tab on the Music Sumo Facebook Page, and don’t forget to “like” us while you are there!!

Good luck, and much love from Music Sumo!!

***WINNER!!!***

I would like to thank all 137 of you for participating in Music Sumo’s first CD Giveaway. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner though, and that winner is Michael McLane from Clarks Summit, PA. Congratulations, Michael! The Trespassers’, The High Lonesome Rambler should be on its way to you shortly along with a couple of other Music Sumo goodies! Hope you enjoy the tunes!

On June 24th, 2012 the West Coast music scene lost a great man when Peter Barsotti succumbed to Leukemia at age 64. Peter was sometimes known as the “ideas guy” behind many Bill Graham Presents (BGP) productions including Day on the Green and BGP’s annual New Years Eve bash.

Barsotti was a longtime Bill Graham confidante and he retired after BGP was purchased by SFX Entertainment. He and his late wife, Bettike, also bought the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, CA in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Debra, and four children; father Mario and four brothers.

This news particularly hits home since it was a member of the Barsotti family who hired me at BGP a decade ago. The Barsotti family has really helped introduce me to the San Francisco Bay Area music scene after graduating from Berklee College of Music. I also frequent the Iron Door Saloon as I head up to Yosemite or to catch some shows by bands in that area like, The Trespassers. I have also had cancer a couple times and am currently in remission.

“Farewell to our dear brother, Peter Barsotti, who died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Peter’s creative fingerprints were all over Bill Graham productions for many years – from Day On the Green sets, to backstage environments, to Bill’s New Year’s Eve ‘midnight rides,’ decorations, special effects, logistics, you-name-it. Peter was one of Bill’s primary idea guys; and then Peter ushered those ideas into being. Thank you, Peter. Our hearts go out to your family and extended family.”

“Homesteaders, activists, educators, workers, philosophers, travelers; The Trespassers strive to live in harmony with this world. Their songs often times include critiques and solutions pertinent to life in the twenty-first century.”

“The Trespassers sing stories that make you feel at peace but also dare to remind you that we are not always alright in this complex, modern world. Strength, protest, anger, hope and, above all, love are the emotions that resound off canyon and concrete walls as this band drifts across the west.”

“This young band is coming into their prime, after eight years of playing in the underground. Honing their skills in taverns, barns, campfires, at grassroots music festivals and environmental rallies. They are ready to bring their music and message to a wider audience.”

I have been lucky enough to work with The Trespassers a few times in the past and I can easily say that they are a group of the nicest people you could ever meet. They are truely just down to Earth, good people trying to make it by in this world. They are always looking to have a good time and it comes across in their music. They always get the crowd moving with their infectious energy.

To put together Road Time: Live In California, The Trespassers recorded all their live shows from their 2011 Summer and Fall tours. They then had the recordings mixed at Jerseydale – Ain’t No Studios by Peter Bogle. The album features 19 songs recorded live at 6 venues in 2011 and can be purchased now at CD Baby.

Tickets are now available for The Trespassers’ official CD release in San Francisco at The Great American Music Hall. Go to http://tickets.gamh.com/events/196440 to buy tickets. Opening for them will be Windy Hill, Faux Renwah, and Melody Walker. If you know you’re going to the show, or you think you’re going to the show, please buy your tickets in advance! It’ll also be an awesome opportunity to get a great discount on their new album. I have heard from the band, and they are very excited about this show and hope to share the evening with you! Hope to see you there!!

In the meantime, here are some videos of The Trespassers performing at a gig I got them in the KPIG studios years ago: